Love is for those who struggle

⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:6-7

People remember 1 Corinthians chapter 13 because it talks about love in a way that sounds noble, kind and positive.  But take another look at verse 7 as it talks about what love does.  Those are not words of warm feelings and smiles; those are words used when facing difficult moments in life.  These are words for people like you and me.

‘It protects’ because you or someone you love is under attack.  It might be physical abuse.  It might be the words of some bitter divisive person that wants to tear people down.  When you are in danger you want someone who loves you to rush in and shield you.

‘It trusts’ because when you look around the situation looks bad and you’re not sure things will work out.  An upcoming court date is an example.  You’re not sure if the lawyer will work on your behalf, not sure if a key witness will come forward.  You’re not sure what will happen if you tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  You want to trust that honesty will have its reward or that someone will love you just enough to give you a hand.

‘It always hopes’.  Hope is for people who have nothing at the moment.  When you’ve got money, friends or good times you don’t look too far in the future.  But when you’re facing a difficult situation you need hope.  When someone you care about is facing trouble you have hope for them because you love them and you work to make that hope a reality.

‘It always perseveres’.  If your struggling, if you tried again but it wasn’t good enough, you have to decide whether to persevere and keep fighting.  You have to love the goal your fighting for and love the people in your life enough to keep going.

So this famous chapter of scripture that often gets recited at weddings when people are thinking about romantic love isn’t just about love and marriage.  Love is what we need to get through life, especially the hard times in life.  When things are bad don’t you need someone who loves you?  When things are bad for someone you love, don’t you try that much harder to help?

Human love tends to fall short.  But now put Christ into the picture and see what these words can do.  Christ always protects his people and in Christ you can always work to protect your loved ones because you know he’s got your back.  Jesus always keeps his promises and your trust in him is never misplaced.  You can even trust that when you do what’s right he will help things work out for the best.  Christ has given you a hope that is certain, an inheritance in heaven that never ends, and with him as your Savior your future is always in good hands.  And Christ persevered through the humiliation and suffering only God would have the strength to endure.  He gives you his Spirit to help you persevere and keep fighting every step of the way as you carry your burdens as well.

As you think about the trouble in your life remember the love of Christ for you.  His constant self-sacrificing love inspires you to love the people around you even when things look bad.  Remember that he wants you to love yourself and others as you face those troubles.  Love is what you need to face the hard times honestly and boldly and love points you to Jesus for help along the way.  Then, when troubles come, you can always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere.